Kitbaikitmah

At what point did the officer address the rip-offs and scams? He just reviewed the offical 'rules' without addressing the unoffical 'creative' ones. This the work of a politician not a policeman.

I wonder what the chinese make of this....oh nevermind...because within a decade or two thailand will finally be colonised instead of being annexed by proxy.

IF ...IF...any truth lies within the stories of police officers being required to pay 'key money' and 'commission' to obtain and maintain a post in these 'profitable' locations....

...IF...IF...any truth lies within the article stats (ofcourse the stats are true - I refer to ommissions)

Methinks (albeit cynically):

One hand is defering international critic to mis-adventure, personal responsibility and over-reaction

The other hand is capitalising on international critic by defering to a 5,000 manpower shortage.

What can you do?....

DON'T GO THERE!

Some thai hospitals are blacklisted by overseas insurance companies. Methinks the mulling is about constructing the loop-holes and the profit division between the various 'service' providers.

With thailands cultural attitude to H&S and responsibility...the money is in the fine print..theres a fine 'killing' to be made.

Four years ago I got Denge in Chiang Mai. Was as red a beetroot then 5 days in hospital with wonderful painkillers and 6 hourly blood checks. Platelet count down to 20%, oral bleeding then the virus had ran its course. Sent home to recover with the end of infection body rash...2 months till I felt 100% and 15,000B lighter.

Now have window screens, 'draught excluders' and bed nets.

Always cover-up, long seleeves etc plus very very effective homemade essential oil deterent.

Deter and destroy with prejudice.

Am O neg and without any medical issues in Chiang Mai...please advise me how I can help.

Once again a 'glib' and advocating reply for evident wrong-doing...this time from the diligent respectful and honoured DPM. The ASEAN community will first be laughing till they fall over then directing their anti-pi'rate ativities away from the straits and focusing inland.

A national embarressment and liability of the first order...maybe he needs a spokesman?

I would say that it is fair enough if this has been a long standing tradition, providing of course that the police are not demanding gifts with menaces or conveying the message, give us money or your name will be placed in our bad books.

In England, Europe and the States it was always traditional to give money to our milkman, postman and the trash collectors every Christmas, and was always sort of expected, so I see no problem with donating a little dosh to the BiBs who are over worked and under paid anyway, but I’m sure the anti Thai establishment brigade will strongly disagree.

China is the hand that feeds this country...the farang are just icing on the cake. I wonder what will happen to the local thugs when they abuse some kin fresh off the plane from the motherland....lets watch and see

And so it begins....many more mainland chinese tourists here the last couple of years however they play by different rules compared to the whinging but 'passive' farang. Their families have serious money and big eggs...which they will use/save face. The thugs happy hunting time with the soft white western cash cows may change to 20% of local tuk-tuk buisness man found, investigations are on-going to find the rest of him. Now they start biting that feeds.

Been police with automatic weapons loitering out for a couple of days now. A very soft target with the market around it and apartment blocks across the river with line of sight over the wall into the compound. Not a good location for all. How long ago was that bomb making cell intercepted...was its network broken up?

What is the additional penality for using a motorcycle to commit a crime?

Pie and mash followed by rice pudding with jam and prunes with tuckshop GIANT wagon wheels never caused me a problem

However in Thai schools...many kids are fat, well fat (and in little politics this usually makes them a bully)

On site venders are not controlled, caterers are not monitored. Afternoons are spent at Milo travelling shows during parent paid school time.

The educators need to do thier job beyond the book and board. Kids options should be controlled until they are effectively educated. Example: would anybody in their right mind allow a person to drive a ton and a half of metal at 140kph without education in its functions, responsible use, highway code, driving ability and an eyesight test regardless of wether they have ample funds to purchase.

Mmmm... hand and foot disease, hand makes merit but the foot makes action (adjusted Thai proveb)

Heavy mobster..aka bullet dodger...heavy and reliable, can hit people with it. Somebody is teaching the son the definition of 'nemesis' - Snatch

Am confused by the term 'farang'..but regardless, thats alot of money up-for-grabs. What a win-win!

Government coffers

'Foreign' scapegoats

Hard currancy kickbacks

Local buisness kickbacks

Watch the news for a sublime location, mobile on redirect, saibai saibai, with Rosettastone 'how much for me' -'safe as houses' -I'll see ya right gov'-'know a mate at half the price'-'da dog is free'.

This guy should be in Wall Street

Recieved treatment for over a year...in bangkok. Maybe doctors had been 'leaned-on' or 'bought-off'.

Methinks the really interesting details could be found when the accompanying passengers during the bust are investigated...but these characters are already forgotten!?...now just get the public show and a ticket to disneyland. The real stuff is being played out in the political backrooms....wonder what the surcharge is for a broker in such deals?

The correspondent's article is excellent reading, providing great insight into Thai culture and 'mindset' (very similiar to the Chinese..from my western viewpoint).

Previous story postings were awash with very western-style linear analysis and rather 'crude' comments.

A gambit has been played...lets see how it rolls...the next couple months will provide insight into the last several years.

Mmmm...who needs to watch a TV?

A lengthy read but by many accounts he could have been caught sooner...if there was the political will.

Some entity behind scenes and probably with an agenda beyond just justice has played a 'community chest' card.

The 'Muslin' law sounds rather sound in a muslim culture....he seeks permission then must provide and I assume she has the same culture and faith.

Its a shame women can't do the same...but thats rather difficult in most cultures and faiths.

However, hats off to any man who can accommodate four wives and atleast one being Thai....mantalk...bigger eggs than me!

Lived with a hilltribe family for a while. When the grandmother, older and tougher than the hills, was taken to the state hospital just north of Mae Rim and diagnosed with cancer. Immediate surgery was required. I spoke to the surgeon. He said he loves helping the poor hill people and as an army surgeon he can practice his techniques. Post-op the old dear was presented with a jar containing the tumour and faded away over the following months.

Its a shame there isn't greater investment in pro-active health/safety education...even something as basic as the Green Cross Code.

Methinks that the medical tourist is being taxed above and beyond the common private hospital scams.

Absolutely lass.

Methinks these little dollybirds are like budget airlines:

Big on promotions

Difficult to pre-book...take a place in line

Come in many painted colours

Have to buy your own drinks

Share time in the associated company of budget tourists, politely

When it comes to a crunch, they all carry a black box

After years here, a true woman is to be treasured

Oh what a blessing to be born an English woman - pasty-white skin, a long nose, and a couple of big knockers! Woohoo! Face it, Thai women (you of the tiny waists, blemish-free skin, delicate limbs and lustrous hair) you have nothing on me!

Associating Buddha with a dirty place. I am sure he used the common person's throne. Expelling waste is glorious heavenly and utterly healthy...eg after a spicey meal. Even the POTUS and QoE has to take a crap.

It's an essential place...just like your head (so wear a crash helmet!)...just like your feet (care for them, respect them).

Different peoples ideas about expressions of respect hence dogma rather than darma.

Does anybody remember, 4-5 years ago the TV article about the monk who was ran-out of town for putting his foot on a Buddaha statue...he claimed it was just stone paint and goldleaf...but people thought otherwise...seesaw hai kwai fang?

I like my bathroom, its clean and important to me..regliously so, what better place for an icon. Same as my bed heardboard but oh no thats 'sinful' maybe I should tell the mia noi to pray at a statue against conception and for the lottery numbers along-side me praying against conception, for the lottery and avoiding HIV.

Would an apology be acceptable if I put a 'durex' and 'use your bloody indicator' icon next to traditional.

So this week we have learnt that:

a) loss of life is a 5,000B per person court fine in 'fairness';

b.) a child after raping is worth 2,000B to be further abused;

c) a tourist dies everyday in suspcious circumstances.

The land of shameful and embarressed smiles?

Mmmm....all the makings and soundings of another S.W.A.G. (sourced wealth attributed to gullability) scheme. May sound unfair but wait for the loop-holes in the fine print when you apply from your hospital bed.

Just enforce the law?

BTW...tourist confidence must have surged because today the farang kill rate fell by 100%.

Would be interesting to read some of the claim interviews...would provide wonderous insight:

Me and me mate had a few, tuk tuk pulled up, we were up for it.

Farang chop sexy lady massage

She was minging, well rank.

Farang mai chop pii sao.

Yea like we gonna pay.

Farang mai hai tang.

Then these guys outta nowhere set on us.

Pii chai gap nong chai chuey...farang mao bar.

Woke up in hospital, head and rib busted...how much am I gonna get?

Gleichschaltung...same same but different...somebody has a very serious agenda.